Game ball and tethering means therefor



1967 5. J. PAPP 3,351,343

GAME BALL AND TETHERINGYMEANS THEREFOR Filed March 18, 1965 Slap/ran J Papp INVENTOR.

BY v

United States Patent 3,351,343 Patented Nov. 7, 1967 Fice 3,351,343 GAME BALL AND TETHERING MEANS THEREFOR dtephen It. llapp, 5655 W. 2nd Ave, Denver, (3010. 841220 Filed Mar. 118, 1965', Ser. No. 440,726 5 Claims. (Cl. 273-26) ARSTRACT 0F THE DHSCLUSURE The disclosure has to do with a game ball and ball holding as well as anchoring means for a tether embodying at least two woven nylon bands snugly bound around surface portions of the ball. These bands have portions overlapping and permanently secured together. Diametrically opposite portions of these bands are overlapped in crossing relationship but are free of positive connection and can be shifted and parted by hand. An elongated flexible tethering element has a terminal end operatively connected to the aforementioned diametrically opposite portions of said bands in a novel manner hereinafter described.

This invention relates, generally speaking, to a game ball such as is adapted to be used in playing ball games of many and varying types, which is spherical, of any feasible dimension, weight and construction in keeping with the particular use to which it is put and pertains, more particularly, to a novel harness-like holder which encompasses and confines the ball, and an elongated flexible tethering element connectible with the holder and functioning to maintain the thus harnessed ball in a captive but playable state.

Persons conversant with the field of endeavor herein under consideration are aware that captive baseballs, golf balls, bouncing and paddle-actuated balls are not new. In fact, it is common in the art to connect a tethering cord or line to a practice ball of one type or another, to anchor or stake the line and bat, strike or in some other manner send the ball into flight. Such is the procedure resorted to in connection with batting practice balls, tether ball, and so on. A significant difficulty resides in the fact that the average ball is soon damaged and unfit for practical use or the means for holding and tethering fails and releases the ball in an undesirable manner. It follows that one object of the present invention is to provide a ball, a holder and a tether combination or assembly which is strong, durable, long-lasting and possessed of the capability of effectively achieving the ends desired in a simple, practical, efficient and economical manner.

Another object of the concept is to provide ball holding and tethering means which maintains the embraced ball in a state of balance and poised equilibrium, and wherein the holder or harness is proportioned, comformable to the surfaces which are bound thereby and, being snugly bound in place, insures positive ball retention even when the captive ball is forcibly pounded with a baseball bat.

A further object of the invention resides in a uniquely constructed holder which is characterized by novelly oriented and coordinating nylon bands which are broad and thin and hug the balls surfaces in such a manner that the ball maintains its original shape and enables the user to sight and focus on the ball due to the fact that it keeps its given shape and performs much as though it were free of surface covering means.

Then, too, in carrying out the principles of this invention, the construction and wrap-around nature of the encircling harnessing straps or bands is purposely such that notwithstanding the snug and captive fit, the user can manually loosen, manipulate and peel the bands off the ball, use the ball independently, can return and restore it in place, or replace it with a new ball if and when necessary.

While it is within the purview of this invention to hand-tie the attachable end of the nylon, monofilament or equivalent tethering cord or line to crossed or overlapping portions of the bands (two or more) it is deemed advisable (when the object is a baseball) to securely unite the end of the tethering element in a special way. To this end, at least two annular or ring-like bands, one inner and the other outer, have (1) median overlapping and crossed portions permanently joined and (2) diametrically opposite crossed portions which are separable but provided with aligned holes through which the attachable end of the tether is threaded and anchored in place in a new and improved manner, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Considered further, this invention has to do with an elongated highly durable tethering element whose attachable end is preferably, but not necessarily threaded through the aforementioned holes and also through a centralized hole in a disk-like anchoring patch cut from a piece of woven nylon, the fibers or strands being combed loose, spread or fanned out, and then cemented fiatwise to a companion face of said patch, the latter being amply large, compared to the width of the coacting bands, and being adapted to be interposed between the bail and surface of the inner band but not necessarily attached to the band. It follows that the bands are stitched or otherwise joined at one cross-over point and the tethering element separably connects the band at the diametrically opposite point, thus permitting application and removal of the bands whenever necessary or desired.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective showing the game ball, the snug fitted embracing and confining holder, a fragmentary portion of the tethering cord or element and manner in which the attachable end thereof is cooperatively associated with the ball and coacting portions of the holder;

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective of the holder by itself, including the tethering cord and which also shows how the apertured crossing portions of the bands can be intentionally parted to accomplish the attaching and detaching steps;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tethering cord showing one manner in which the inner attachable end is constructed;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in section based on the showing made in FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective similar to FIG. 3 illustrating hte manner in which the frayed fibers of the cord are spread fiatwise and cemented to a cooperating surface of the cord anchoring and retaining disk.

With reference now to the figures it will be seen (FIGS. 1 and 4) that the ball is denoted by the numeral 8. This ball may be of any type which may be broadly referred to as a game ball. This is to say the ball will be spherical, of any feasible dimension, weight and construction (usually solid) in keeping with the particular game or use to which it is to be put. The ball holder is of harness-like construction and comprises, broadly speaking, a plurality of companion cooperating parts, More specifically this holder comprises (FIG. 2) an outer relatively broad flatfaced annular nylon band or strap which is denoted at 10 and has duplicate end portions 12 and 14 which are pref erably overlapped and stitched together as at 16. These overlapped end portions are punctured to provide a hole 18. The companion inner strap or band, also of nylon, is denoted by the numeral 20 and is of the same construction as the band 10. It should be noted in FIG. 2 at the left that the corresponding median portions of the two bands are overlapped and crossed at right angles to each other and permanently stitched or otherwise connected together as denoted at 22. The end portions 24 and 26 of this band are also overlapped and secured together by stitching or other means as denoted at 23. Here again, the overlapped portions are punctured or otherwise apertured to provide a hole 30 which in practice (see FIGS. 1 and 4) is aligned or registered with the hole 18. The elongated flexible tethering element is denoted as an en tity by the numeral 32 and comprises a nylon cord 34 an outer end (not detailed) of which is attached to an appropriate stake or other place of anchorage. The inner end portion 36 is connected with an anchoring, positioning and retaining disk 38 which is in the form of a patch of circular form which is cut from a piece of nylon fabric. This disk is provided at its axial center as at 40 with a hole through and beyond which the coacting inner end portion of the nylon cord is threaded or passed. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. the terminal fibers (provided by fraying the terminal portion of the cord) are spread radially or fanned out as shown at 42 and are cemented (not detailed) flatwise to the surface 44 of the anchoring disk. In practice the holes 18 and 34 are lined up and the nylon cord is passed outwardly therethrough. The disk, which is of the approximate or proportional diameter shown in FIG. 1, is thus interposed between the convex surface of the ball and bears primarily against the apertured portion of the inner band 20 with the marginal portions bearing against coacting surfaces of the encompassing outer band 10.

It is within the purview of this invention to employ more than two bands if found desirable, Two or more bands evenly spaced can be used providing, of course, that all are permanently joined at one point as suggested at 22 in FIG. 2. It is also evident that instead of using a large softball or hard baseball a regular nine inch plastic ball can be readily tethered for children playing the game of tether ball. If after losing interest, the harnessing means can be loosened and the ball removed and employed independently. In this particular use of the retaining bands the attachable end of the tethering cord can be tied at the cross-over point in the manner already described. It is also within the purview of the invention to employ a smaller ball such, as for example, a golf ball. For this use the ball harnessing bands and 12 could be molded of very thin nylon. Here, too, the cross-over point of the bands could be tied to the end of the tethering cord or line. In fact, the tethering line could perhaps be a monofilament nylon fishing line attached (not shown) to a spinner reel on a fishing rod and could be used for golf driving practice. It follows that in less demanding uses than batting practice, for example, the tethering line can be attached to the bands in any one of a number of practical ways.

With the construction shown it is obvious that the coacting bands can be readily attached or detached with the use of any suitably fitted ball. This permits diversified use of the ball, the use of readily available balls, quick changing from soft to hard balls, and vice versa.

The present invention was found to be virtually essential when used in conjunction with a tethered batting practice ball because of the fact that such a ball was rendered substantially useless after considerable time in use. It was found, however, and as will be evident, that the adaptation which was primarily designed for that purpose has been found to be useful, as suggested, with any game ball. In any event it is Within the purview of the concept to provide an adaptation which permits the apertured portions of the two bands 10 and to be gradually Worked apart by allowing slack in the attached end portion of the tethering cord. Then these bands can be gradually worked loose over the surface of the ball and the ball can be bodily detached. By the same token, and following seemingly evident steps, the ball can be replaced in its harness and made ready for use.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a game ball and ball holding and tether anchoring means, said means embodying at least two individual evenly spaced broad nylon bands snugly surrounding annular surface portions of said ball, said bands having first portions crossing each other in overlapping relationship and permanently secured together, second diametrically opposite portions of said bands being also overlapped in crossing relationship but not secured to each other, and an elongated flexible tethering element having a terminal end cooperatively associated with and connected to said diametrically opposite portions of said bands so as to retain said opposite portions in overlapping and crossing relationship when said ball is suspended by said element.

2. The structure according to claim 1 and wherein the aforementioned overlapped diametrically opposite portions of said bands are provided each with a hole, the respective holes being normally aligned and registering with each other, and wherein that end portion of said tethering element which is cooperatively associated with said bands is passed through said holes and secured in place by anchoring and retaining means.

3. The structure defined in and according to claim 2 and wherein said anchoring and retaining means comprises a relatively thin tough patch made of woven nylon, is of a diametral size larger than the cooperating portions of said bands and is sandwiched and retained in place between a surface portion of the ball contacted by said patch and the cooperating portions of said bands and is not secured to said bands.

4. Harnessing and holding means for a captive type game playing ball comprising: a first inner strap-like endless nylon band having a first portion provided with a hole for passage and retention of a tethering cord, a second strap-like endless nylon band having a portion overlapping, crossing and immovably connected midway between its ends to a second portion of said first band and also having a portion overlapping and crossing but not secured to said first portion of said first band and likewise provided with a tethering cord hole adapted to be aligned with said first-named hole, a tethering cord having an inner end portion threaded slidingly through the respective holes, and the terminal of said cord being fixed to an axially centered portion of a coacting flexible cord retaining disk-like woven nylon patch, said patch being adapted to abut the apertured portion of said first band and serving to hold the two bands and said tethering cord in assembled relationship.

5. The harnessing and holding means defined in and according to claim 4 and wherein said disk-like patch is provided at its axial center with a hole through and beyond which a coacting inner end portion of the cord is threaded and passed, the terminal end portion of said cord being frayed and the frayed portions being spread radially and adhesively joined flatwise to that surface of the disk which is adapted to contact a surface portion of said ball.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ranseen 46--87 Pant 273-58 X 5 Crowley 273-58X Lyon 27399 6 FOREIGN PATENTS 387,008 4/1908 France.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

G. I. MARLO, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A GAME BALL AND BALL HOLDING AND TETHER ANCHORING MEANS, SAID MEANS EMBODYING AT LEAST TWO INDIVIDUAL EVENLY SPACED BROAD NYLON BANDS SNUGLY SURROUNDING ANNUALR SURFACE PORTIONS OF SAID BALL, SAID BANDS HAVING FIRST PORTIONS CROSSING EACH OTHER IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP AND PERMANENTLY SECURED TOGETHER, SECOND DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE PORTIONS OF SAID BANDS BEING ALSO OVERLAPPED IN CROSSING RELATIONSHIP BUT NOT SECURED TO EACH OTHER, AND AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE TETHERING ELEMENT HAVING A TERMINAL END COOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH AND CONNECTED TO SAID DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSTE PORTIONS IN OVERBANDS SO AS TO RETAIN SAID OPPOSITE PORTIONS IN OVERLAPPING AND CROSSING RELATIONSHIP WHEN SAID BALL IS SUSPENDED BY SAID ELEMENT. 